MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has landed a leadership position ahead of her re-election campaign in 2018.

Baldwin was named as Senate Democratic Conference Secretary on Wednesday by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The post comes four years into Baldwin’s first term in the Senate and as she and Democrats are looking ahead to 2018 when she will be defending her seat in a midterm election.

Democrats were hoping to put Russ Feingold back in the Senate this year, but he lost his rematch with Republican Sen. Ron Johnson. Baldwin campaigned with Feingold in that losing effort.

No Republican has officially announced they plan to challenge Baldwin, but U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy and Madison businessman Eric Hovde are frequently mentioned as possible candidates.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)